Trump announces new tariffs up to 40% among 14 countries

The American president issued 14 cards to international leaders announcing new tariffs of up to 40% as of August 1, with Japan and South Korea among the most affected. The measure shook the markets and revived commercial tensions.

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• Trump sent letters to 14 countries notifying “reciprocal” tariffs between 25% and 40%
• Japan and South Korea will face 25% as of August 1.
• The White House He warns that they could rise even more if there is reprisals.

The White House He confirmed Monday that President Donald Trump will sign an executive order to extend until August 1 the entry into force of new commercial tariffs that would affect at least 14 countries, with an increase of up to 40% in certain cases.

The decision, according to spokesmen of the President, seeks to give time to possible negotiations, although it raises the pressure on the United States key business partners, details CNN.

Among the countries notified are Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Myanmar, Laos, Tunisia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Serbia, Cambodia and Thailand. The announced tariff rates range between 25% and 40%, depending on the country.

Trump justifies the measure by commercial imbalances

In letters, Trump argued that the United States maintains persistent commercial deficits with these countries, which considers a structural disadvantage for the national economy. According to the president, Many of these governments impose restrictions or subsidies that harm the competitiveness of American products.

The solution proposed by Trump is clear: to manufacture on American soil. “By producing goods in the US, you can avoid these tariffs completely”the president wrote in the letters disseminated through his account in Social truth.

The spokeswoman of the White HouseKaroline Leavitt, indicated that the decision to extend the deadline responds to the interest of protecting the US people and promoting bilateral agreements. He also said that foreign leaders “They call incessantly” seeking to reach agreements with Trump, although only three agreements have been announced in the last three months.

What countries are most exposed

According to data from US Department of Commerce, The first seven countries that received letters exported goods for a total of USD $ 351,000 million to the US. In the last year. Japan and South Korea, which face 25% rates, represent 80% of that amount.

Malaysia, for example, was the second largest foreign semiconductor supplier, with exports for USD $ 18,000 million in 2023. Now he will face a 24%rate. South Africa, meanwhile, exports about half of the platinum consumed by the UU., And will be taxed with 30%.

Although some countries such as Laos, Bosnia or Serbia have lower export volumes, Trump has insisted that his policy is “reciprocal”, regardless of bilateral trade.

Immediate economic impact: falls in the stock market and warning to manufacturers

The ads did not go unnoticed by Wall Street. The S&P 500 He closed with a drop of 0.79%, his worst day in three weeks. He Dow Jones 422 points fell (0.94%) and the Nasdaq backed 0.92%.

The impact was particularly strong in automotive companies with operations in Japan and South Korea. The actions of Toyota, Nissan and Honda —That are quoted in the USA. – 4%, 7.16%and 3.86%fell, respectively. This despite the White House He clarified that the new tariffs will not add to existing sectors, such as the 25% tariff on cars.

As for the crypto sector, Bitcoin, the largest exponent of this market, records a slight fall of 1.41% in the last 24 hours, quoting at some USD $ 107,981 per unit.

Cryptocurrencies such as Ethereum, Solana, Dogecoin, Cardano and many others also capitalize down, with falls between 2% and 3.5% in the last 24 hours.

However, it is still early to see the effect that these measures will be for markets, especially because there are risks that the situation can climb and become a commercial war. In all letters, Trump warned that any country that imposes measures in response to US tariffs will face even higher rates.

Next steps and possible climbs

The Trump administration anticipated that there are still approximately 12 additional letters to publish, and did not rule out include more countries. The decisions will be announced directly by Trump on social networks, as explained by the spokeswoman Leavitt.

The new term of August 1 gives margin for negotiations, but also intensifies global uncertainty. Until now, the response of the affected countries has been moderate, although analysts warn that the tensions could climb if agreements are not reached.

Trump closed each of his cards with an ambiguous tone: “These rates can be modified, upward, depending on our relationship with their country. They will never be disappointed with the United States.”

Article written by a content editor. Edited by Angel Di Matteo / Diariobitcoin

Original image of Diariobitcoin, created with artificial intelligence, for free use, licensed under public domain

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